Highway staff recommend engineering firms for safety projects; commissioners discuss proposed PASER threshold bill

Johnson County Highway Engineer Daniel Johnston told commissioners the county received three engineering interest letters and recommended two firms for separate safety projects funded through competitive grants.

Johnston said Strand Associates is the recommended firm to replace regulatory and warning signs in portions of Union Township and all of Hensley and Nineveh townships. Corradino was recommended for a combined project to install intersection conflict warning systems at two locations: 300 West and 625 South in Hensley Township and 250 South at Old U.S. 31 in Needham Township.

The board moved, seconded and approved the highway staff recommendations by voice vote.

While the highway presentation was underway, commissioners asked staff to explain the PASER pavement-rating system and a bill pending in the state legislature that would raise the minimum PASER threshold (effectively calling for a PASER 7 instead of 6) to qualify for some funding. County staff explained PASER is a 1'10 pavement assessment system (1=worst, 10=best); roads rated 7'9 are generally considered good, 4'6 fair, and 3 or below poor. Staff said the county's current weighted average is in the high 6s and that increasing the threshold could shrink counties' access to funds for roads that need repair.

Why it matters: the engineering firm selections advance federally funded safety projects into design and procurement; the PASER bill discussion highlights a potential change in state funding eligibility that could reduce funds available for counties with lower average pavement ratings.

Next steps: staff will proceed with contract negotiations per standard procurement practices and monitor state legislation regarding PASER thresholds.